Kaity Kemp, Pastor
Pastor Kaity graduated Wartburg Seminary in May 2023 and was called in May of 2024 to be our Pastor during of time of transition. Pastor Kaity will be ordained later this Fall once we can return to our beautiful sanctuary. She is a also a busy mother of five, a Speech Language Pathologist and a Yoga Instructor.
Pastor Kaity graduated Wartburg Seminary in May 2023 and was called in May of 2024 to be our Pastor during of time of transition. Pastor Kaity will be ordained later this Fall once we can return to our beautiful sanctuary. She is a also a busy mother of five, a Speech Language Pathologist and a Yoga Instructor.
Nikki Ketchum
Church Business Manager
Nikki joined the staff at First Congregational in 2017 with over 20 years administration experience. Nikki is responsible for all Facilities, Finance, Church Communications, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable along with Human Resources for the church. She assists boards, committee, volunteers and staff with organizing events, outreach, social media and assists with our free Thursday night community meal. During the pandemic, Nikki brought our technology up to date to ensure that members were still able to attend worship even if from their living rooms weekly. Growing up in Northern Wisconsin, Dubuque was always part of her life as her father and mother were raised here. Nikki is married to her husband Clay and has two daughters; Lexi who is a Senior at Iowa State University and Isabelle who is a Sophomore at Dubuque Senior.
Church Business Manager
Nikki joined the staff at First Congregational in 2017 with over 20 years administration experience. Nikki is responsible for all Facilities, Finance, Church Communications, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable along with Human Resources for the church. She assists boards, committee, volunteers and staff with organizing events, outreach, social media and assists with our free Thursday night community meal. During the pandemic, Nikki brought our technology up to date to ensure that members were still able to attend worship even if from their living rooms weekly. Growing up in Northern Wisconsin, Dubuque was always part of her life as her father and mother were raised here. Nikki is married to her husband Clay and has two daughters; Lexi who is a Senior at Iowa State University and Isabelle who is a Sophomore at Dubuque Senior.
Joanne Wright
Music Director, Organist and Accompanist
Joanne joined our staff in in 2018 as our Organist and Accompanist. Since that time, Joanne has now taken the Music Director role on as well. Joanne received her Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music and her Masters of Fine Arts from University of Minnesota, majoring in organ and taken doctoral course work at Northwestern. She has over 40 years of experience variously as Director of Music, Choir Director and Organist in churches around the country and here in the Tri-State area and enjoys very much enjoys working with the wonderful people here.
Music Director, Organist and Accompanist
Joanne joined our staff in in 2018 as our Organist and Accompanist. Since that time, Joanne has now taken the Music Director role on as well. Joanne received her Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music and her Masters of Fine Arts from University of Minnesota, majoring in organ and taken doctoral course work at Northwestern. She has over 40 years of experience variously as Director of Music, Choir Director and Organist in churches around the country and here in the Tri-State area and enjoys very much enjoys working with the wonderful people here.
Ann Carbonelli
Coordinator of Christian Education and Youth Ministries
Ann joined our staff this August. Originally from Chicago, Ann married her high school sweetheart where they raised their 4 children (5 grandchildren) in the suburbs. Ann's parents purchased a farm n Clinton County in the 1990's where Ann would often come to visit. In 2018 she relocated to Iowa to care for her mother.
Ann brings with her several years of experience with youth, seniors and special populations. Ann has already jumped in assisted Pastor Kaity with VBS and joining ecumenical relationship meetings working on youth and kids club programming. Ann will be coordinating and overseeing Youth Ministries as well as leading our nursery on Sunday's.
Coordinator of Christian Education and Youth Ministries
Ann joined our staff this August. Originally from Chicago, Ann married her high school sweetheart where they raised their 4 children (5 grandchildren) in the suburbs. Ann's parents purchased a farm n Clinton County in the 1990's where Ann would often come to visit. In 2018 she relocated to Iowa to care for her mother.
Ann brings with her several years of experience with youth, seniors and special populations. Ann has already jumped in assisted Pastor Kaity with VBS and joining ecumenical relationship meetings working on youth and kids club programming. Ann will be coordinating and overseeing Youth Ministries as well as leading our nursery on Sunday's.
Tom Bodnar
Building & Grounds
Building & Grounds
Tom joined the staff at First Congregational in 2017. Tom grew up in Dubuque and brings over 30 years of building and grounds experience to us. He is the go-to for cleaning, event set up, painting, special projects and more! Tom works full time at University of Dubuque. Tom is married to his wife Lisa and has two sons and one daughter and two new grandsons!